Our Correspondent
Kohima, Nov. 18 (EMN): The Nagaland Olympic Association (NOA) on Friday felicitated sportspersons who brought laurels to the state by winning medals at the 2nd Northeast Olympic Games (NEOG) 2022 held in Shillong, Meghalaya.
Nagaland won 79 medals, including 18 gold, 17 silver and 44 bronze at the sporting event, a noticeable improvement from its performance of 6 gold, 9 silver and 27 bronze in the first edition of NEOG in 2018.
Neiketoule Belho from the state also won the best athlete (men) award for winning the 100m race and long jump, and Niansai T was awarded best athlete (U-20 girls) for winning 800m and 1500m races at the event.
Speaking at the felicitation programme held in the State Banquet Hall in Kohima, Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, who is also the president of NOA, commended the sportspersons, associations of various disciplines, coaches and support staff on behalf of the state government, the people and the NOA.
He maintained that Nagaland has been hit by insurgency movement for so long and is till with ‘disturbed area’ tag under the AFSPA. He added that a settlement to the Naga political issue is yet to be arrived at despite the ceasefire in place and the Naga political groups negotiating with the government of India for 26 years, which is hampering the society badly in terms of governance and developmental activities, including avenues for youth to progress.
He reminded that NOA got the nod for affiliation with the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) only in 2004 after 41 years of statehood, which is why the state is lagging behind in the field of sports. However, he said he has faith on the youth and has no doubt about their natural talent and abilities.
Rio recalled that when he first became the CM in 2003, he had declared 2004 and 2005 as the years of the youth to empower theme in music, arts and sports besides training and skilling them to get jobs. He acknowledged the support he received from his cabinet, legislators and the NOA that is actively handling the affairs of the association.
Citing the increase in the number of medals from 42 in first NEOG to 79 this time, he said the result indicates that the youth can excel and bring laurels to the state if they are provided infrastructure and right platform.
He stressed the need for the state to invest in sports infrastructure and build international standard arenas and playfield for sportspersons from the state access equal opportunities. He said the state government is taking up such projects with the help of Khelo India as well as its own resources.
The chief minister also informed that the NOA office facility and system has received ISO certification. He went on to assure that the government would extend all possible help in enhancing infrastructure and game development initiatives with all seriousness.
Meanwhile, he urged the sportspersons to aim higher and excel.
‘Your victory and winning is a challenge for all of us and I am sure each sportspersons will be thinking that you will not only represent the state in the Northeast but also in the National Games,’ said Rio while recalling the then president of IOA Suresh Kalmadi’s word of hope and challenge to the state when it first participated in the National Games in 2007 and won 11 medals including a gold.
He told the sportspersons that the felicitation, which was a fulfillment of the announcement he had made for the medal winners, should be a challenge for them to do better in future. He also acknowledged coaches from outside the state for taking keen interests in training the sportspersons.
Rio expressed happiness over the north-eastern states having trust on the state and handing over the Olympic flag to host the next NEOG.
“With all humility, we have accepted the flag and now it for us (the state) to start and not rest on our laurels but this should be the beginning to higher level,” said Rio who received the NEOG flag during the programme.
While informing that the state had decided to bid for The National Games, he said it should have the potential to win medals as host. The NEOG should be good beginning for the state to start and prepare for to host National Games, he added.
Speaking at the event, Secretary General of NOA, Abu Metha said sports has been a way of life in the world and that it is deeply rooted in Nagaland as well.
He said Dr. T Ao’s participation in the Olympic Games in 1948 and archer Chekrovolu Swuro at London Olympics in 2012 after 60 years continue to inspire the people.
Sports is no longer a recreation activity but a battlefield in modern era, being a multi-million industry, he said while sharing that the global sports industry is projected to shoot up to 700 billion dollars by 2026 and exuded hope that Nagaland youth too will excel.
Advisor for Youth Resources and Sports (YRS), Zale Neikha, also congratulated the medal winners and acknowledged the chief minister for the support provided to the sports fraternity.
Earlier in the programme, T Meren Paul, Senior Vice President of NOA, delivered the welcome address.
On the occasion, best athlete (U-20 girls) award winner Niansai T and best male athlete awardee were felicitated with a cash prize of INR 75,000 each, while all the 18 gold medalists were awarded INR 50,000 each; silver medalists INR 30,000 each, and bronze medalists INR 10,000 each.
The coaches, who produced gold medalists, were rewarded with INR 25,000 each, INR 15,000 each for silver medals, and INR 8,000 for bronze medals. The support staff -- physiotherapists, team managers -- were also rewarded with INR 10,000 each.
Meanwhile, the Athletic Association was adjudged as best association, for which it was awarded INR 5,00,000, while runner-up Wrestling Association received INR 3,00,000 and second runner-up Taekwondo Association was given INR 2,00,000.